Environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly

• US 7,111,951 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2005
• Issued: 09/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Bauer, Frederick T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cherry, Euncha P.
• Application Number:
  US11/124,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20050200936A1
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 359/838, 359/883
• US Class Current: 359/883
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors

Abstract

An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is provided which incorporates a reflective element with variable reflectance. In one embodiment, the environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of cadmium (Cd). In another embodiment, the environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of lead (Pb). In yet another embodiment, the environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of mercury (Hg). In a further embodiment, the environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of poly-vinyl-chloride (PVC). In yet a further embodiment, the environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of halogen producing chemicals such as bromine (Br).

Claims

1. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly, comprising:

a variable reflective element, said reflective element comprising;

at least one glass substrate with a coating containing silver on at least one surface;

wherein the rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of lead-based paint.

2. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, wherein said reflective element has variable reflectance.

3. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, wherein said reflective element is eletrochromic.

4. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, further comprising an electrical control circuit substantially free of lead-based solder.

5. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, further comprising an electrical control circuit substantially free of bromine.

6. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, further comprising an electrical control circuit substantially free of mercury.

7. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, further comprising a housing and bezel substantially free of poly-vinyl-chloride.

8. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly, comprising:

a variable reflectance reflective element; and

an electrical control circuit, wherein the rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of lead-based solder.

9. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 8, wherein said lead-based solder is selected from the group comprising tin-zinc alloy, tin-silver alloy, and tin-silver-copper alloy.

10. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 8, further comprising an electrical control circuit substantially free of bromine.

11. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 8, further comprising an electrical control circuit substantially free of mercury.

12. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 8, further comprising a housing and bezel substantially free of poly-vinyl-chloride.

13. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly, comprising:

a variable reflectance reflective element;

an electrical control circuit; and

a printed circuit board, wherein the rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of bromine.

14. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 13, comprising a printed circuit board made of epoxy resin having a nitrogen-compound-based flame retardant.

15. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 13, comprising a printed circuit board made of epoxy resin having a phosphorus-compound-based flame retardant.

16. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 13, further comprising an electrical control circuit substantially free of mercury.

17. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 13, further comprising a housing and bezel substantially free of poly-vinyl-chloride.

18. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly, comprising:

a variable reflective element;

a housing; and

a bezel, wherein the rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of poly-vinyl-chloride.

19. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 18, wherein at least one of the housing or bezel comprises Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene-Poly-Carbenate (ABSPC).

20. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 18, wherein at least one of the housing or bezel comprises Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate (ASA).

21. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 18, wherein at least one of the housing or bezel comprises magnesium alloy.